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Sergio Garcia has enjoyed playing in Germany over the years, and the Spaniard is ready to rekindle that affection at the BMW International Open this week.

The World Number Eight won the 1999 German Masters at this venue as a 19 year old, and came close to winning this title in 2011, only to miss out to compatriot Pablo Larrazábal in a play-off.

Garcia is also fresh off a runner-up finish at the Travelers Championship last week on the PGA Tour, so he travels to Golf Club Gut Lärchenhof in top form. “Obviously I've always enjoyed playing here in Germany,” said the 11-time European Tour winner.

“I've been quite successful and have always been made to feel very welcome by the people here. Obviously I have a lot of German things going on as well in my life with sponsors and my girlfriend. So yeah, I'm always excited to come back and play here.”

Garcia tasted victory earlier in the year at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters, and in his current form he is sure to be one of the favourites this week.

The Spaniard finished in a tie for seventh at this event last year, when it was held in Munich, but he has spoken openly of how much he enjoys this week’s Jack Nicklaus layout, which features plenty of water and measures over 7,200 yards.

“The course is in the best shape I've ever seen it, no doubt about it,” said Garcia. “It's playing very, very nicely. It's quite firm, so hopefully if it doesn't rain, it's going to be a great tournament.

“Some of those pins will get tricky when they are near the corners of bunkers and things like that. It just looks really, really nice.”

Garcia will be begin his first round at 0730 on Thursday morning, alongside Welshman Jamie Donaldson and last week’s Irish Open champion, Miko Ilonen.